An example of the order of the first treatments to give a patient

I think it is always good to emphasize to all five element acupuncturists, even to those who have been in practice a long time, that we should start by offering a new patient’s elements the gentlest treatment we can, one that doesn’t startle or overwhelm them.  I remember being told by one of my teachers that giving complex point combinations right at the start of a patient’s treatment is much like somebody standing on a platform and watching an express train thundering past without stopping.  This may briefly rattle the waiting passengers but not help them get to where they want.  Instead they must wait for a slow train which will stop for them, and allow them to get on and off.   I think this is a good analogy for the wastefulness of starting to address the elements in too complicated a way.

At the start of treatment, patients’ elements are in a vulnerable state and unsure of how to accept the adjustments to their balance which is what we hope treatment will provide.  We therefore need to offer them the simplest and purest treatment we can, and nothing is simpler and purer than command point treatment.  I am therefore giving below an example of the order of the first treatments I might give my patients. The points I have added to the command points, such as the CV (RM) or Outer Bladder points I have chosen here, are ones which can be used for any element, and are all aimed at helping strengthen the patient’s spirit.  A fuller discussion can be found in my Handbook of Five Element Practice (obtainable from the SOFEA website www.sofea.co.uk ).

All points are needled using the tonification method, with moxibustion added before needling except where contraindicated.  If Entry/Exit blocks are discovered at any point, these must be cleared before the final command points are needled.  If blocks are discovered at the end of treatment, even after the final command points, then the blocks should be cleared then and the command point treatment repeated, but this time without moxa. 

Command points have an in-built safety factor, and put the patient back in charge of their own energy. This is why they are always used to complete a treatment.

Treatment 1: 

1 Check for Possession – if there, Internal Dragons treatment
2 Aggressive Energy drain
3 Source points of the Guardian Element

Treatment 2:
1 Correct any Akabane imbalances if not already done as part of the physical diagnosis.
2 CV (RM) 8 (or CV (RM) 14 if BP differential too high for moxibustion)
3 Tonification points if possible, if not, then source points again

Treatment 3: 
1 Bl 38 (43)
2 Command points (source, tonification or transfer across the Ke cycle)

Treatment 4:
1 AEPs (Back Shu points)
2 Command points

Always remember the five element mantra:  the simpler the better.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A list of simple treatments

I am adding this list to my five element treatments blog in the hope that it will inspire five element practitioners to stay on the straight and narrow path of simplicity, and avoid the temptation to wander off into the jungle of complex point combinations.

I suggested these treatments for 6 patients whom another practitioner brought to me for consultation.  I like to think that they show the kind of simple treatments I use in my own practice.

Moxa cones were added to the points before needling unless where contra-indicated, and all points were tonified.

Patient 1:  Water
Treatment supervised by me:
           Husband/wife correction
           Ki 24
           Bl 64, Ki 3
Suggestions for future treatments:

1         CV 14, Bl 67, Ki 7

2         Bl 39 (44), Bl 60, Ki 2

3         AEPs (back shut points) of Water, source or transfer

Patient 2: Fire

Treatment supervised by me:
           CV/GV block
           Husband/wife correction
           TH 4, HP 7
Suggestions for future treatments:

1         CV 8 (3 moxas on salt, no needling), TH 3, HP 9

2         AEPs of Outer Fire, TH 10, HP 7

3         Bl 38 (43), HP 8, TH 6

Patient 3:  Earth

Treatment supervised by me:

Bl 38 (43), St 42, Sp 3

Suggestions for future treatments:

1         SP 8, St 36, Sp 3 (late summer seasonal treatment, if possible also in Earth horary time)

2         AEPs of Earth, St 41, Sp 2

3         St 25, Sp 15, source or tonification points

Patient 4: Fire

Treatment supervised by me:

Husband/wife correction

TH 4, HP 7

Suggestions for future treatments:

1         CV15, HP 8, TH 5

2         AEPs of Outer Fire, TH 3, HP

3         Bl 39 (44), TH 10, HP 7

Patient 5: Earth
Treatment supervised by me:

IDs

AE drain

St 42, Sp 3

Suggestions for future treatments:

1         Ki 24, St 36, Sp 3 (late summer season treatment, if possible also in Earth horary time)

2         CV 14, St 41, Sp 2

3         AEPs of Earth, source or tonification points

Patient 6: Metal

Treatment supervised by me:

LI 4, Lu 9 

Suggestions for future treatments:

1         Bl 38 (43), Co 11, Lu 9

2         AEPs of Metal, Lu 10

3         LI 18, Lu 3 (Windows), source or tonification points